Constitution and Bylaws (Revised 2008)

Anything in italics is a clarification.

The organization designated as the International Academy of Business Disciplines is a

worldwide, non-profit organization, established to foster and promote education in all of the functional

and support disciplines of business. The office of the academy will be located at the address of the

President or any other place designated by the Board of Directors. The IABD was founded in August

1988 as the International Academy of Marketing and Management.

The origin of the IAMM can be attributed to Dr. Abbass Alkhafaji and a group of scholars

including Drs. Hooshang M. Beheshti, Melvin R. Mattson, Abbas J. Ali, Manton Gibbs, Joel K. Worley, and R. Wayne Saubert. These individuals approved of the idea and the necessity of formulating the goal of

IAMM relative to existing organizations. They had their formal first meeting in March of 1988 in

Virginia. They discussed the plan for the first conference and approved the items of incorporation of

IAMM. The first conference took place in Pittsburgh, March 31st - April 2nd of 1989, and was a success.

After that, IAMM developed a clear mission, and its membership has increased dramatically. The

second conference took place in Dallas, March 30th - April 1st of 1990, and was a major achievement,

drawing scholars from around the world and a variety of institutions. It was during that conference that

memberships at-large approved the constitution with minor changes. The constitution was developed and

modified by Drs. Robert C. Camp, Abbas J. Ali and Abbass F. Alkhafaji. The International Academy is

deeply grateful for the support of the Slippery Rock University administration, specifically, Dr. Frank V.

Mastrianna, dean of the College of Information Science and Business Administration. His commitment,

morale, and financial support have contributed greatly to the success of the organization. Dr. Mastrianna,

was the program chair of the first IAMM conference. The organization is also in debt to Dr. Raymond P.

Lutz who served as the first president of the IAMM. Crucial support was also provided by Dr. Robert C.

Camp of Indiana University of Pennsylvania and Dr. Joe Horton of Scranton University.

The name of the organization was changed from IAMM to IABD in 1991 because of the desire to

make the organization inclusive of all the business disciplines.

The IABD is a worldwide, non-profit organization established to foster and promote education

in all of the functional and support disciplines of business. The objectives of IABD are to:

• stimulate learning and understanding and to exchange information, ideas, and research results from around the world;
• bridge the gap between theory and practice, and increase individual awareness of business problems and opportunities in the international marketplace;
• create an environment where the learning, teaching, research, and practice of management, marketing, and other business disciplines can be advanced. The paramount focus is on extending knowledge in these areas so that creativity and practical application can be enhanced;
• cooperate whenever possible with government agencies, academic organizations, and businesses for the furtherance of the above objectives. The Academy, however, shall not adopt a partisan position or the ideals of any particular interest group. Furthermore, the Academy shall not cosponsor or otherwise be identified with any government agencies, profit-oriented organizations, or other non-academic organizations that may compromise the intellectual integrity of its members.

Membership in the organization is open to scholars, practitioners, public policymakers, and

concerned citizens who are interested in advancing knowledge in the various business

disciplines and related fields.

There are two types of membership: Regular and student. 

• Regular members pay full annual dues.
• Students pay a reduced rate. 

Both types of membership have full voting rights and are the same in all respects except dues.

An annual meeting of the membership of the IABD shall be held at such time and place as

determined by the Board of Directors. Selection of a location shall be done at least one year in

advance. 

(This is often announced at the annual meeting.)

•  Business Meetings: The place of business meetings shall be announced at least 30 days prior to the meeting date.
• Special Meetings: Special meetings, in addition to the Annual Meeting, may be called by the Board of Directors. Notice of the time, place, and agenda of such special meetings shall be given to the members by mail at least one month prior to the meeting date. 

 The governance of the IABD will be vested in the Board of Directors. The Board shall determine policies of the Academy consistent with its mission.

• The Board shall appoint a non-board member to serve as President. The renewable term of office for the President shall be four years. 
• Determine the time and place of the annual meeting.
• The President shall nominate and recommend the Treasurer/Membership Director, Conference Chair, Program Chair, and Journal Editor to the Board of Directors for approval.
• The terms of office for members of the standing committees shall be determined by the Board of Directors. Additional committees may be established as needed. The President shall be an ex-officio member of all committees. Standing committees shall be for the following tasks:

1. Membership Committee: Four members
2. Program Committee: Vary
3. Arrangement and Planning Committee: Four members 
4. Nominating Committee: Four members

The membership at large shall elect the Board and President by a majority of the votes cast in response to mailed ballots. 

• A nominating committee shall suggest a list of nominees for vacant Board and Officer positions to stand for election. 
• Ballots shall be mailed within 60 days after the annual meeting. 
• Voting shall close at 12 o'clock midnight on the ninetieth day following the last day of the Annual Meeting.

The term of office for Board members and officers shall be four years. In the event of a death of any officers, the Board of Directors shall elect the replacement.

President

• The Incoming President/President shall serve two years in the incoming role and subsequently for two years as President. 
• The Incoming President/President shall not be elected to more than one term.
• In the event that the Board shall deem it necessary (by a two-thirds majority vote) not to renew the President’s term, the Board shall give the current President a one-year notice and appoint an Incoming President one year ahead of the current President's ending term. 
• The Incoming President shall work closely with the current President during the transitional period

Board of Directors (BoD)

The BoD shall consist of no less than five and no more than 12 members. No more than two members from a single institution shall serve on the BoD. To qualify for membership on the BoD, an individual must show a high commitment to the mission and goals of IABD and participate actively in IABD activities.

The twelve members of the BoD shall consist of two types: six permanent and six elected members. 

• 6 Permanent BoD Members: 

1. The Founding Members of IABD. 
2. If the founding members are no longer active/passed away, the Executive Committee shall suggest a list of nominees for vacant permanent BoD positions.
3. The existing BoD Members shall vote on each individual in line with her/his contribution to and commitment to IABD's mission and goals.

• 6 Elected BoD Members.
• The Executive Committee consists of the president and the three most senior serving permanent members of the BoD.

Amendment of the Constitution shall be effected by a two-thirds majority of the votes cast

by the membership in response to a mailed (does not stipulate, so this can be an emailed) ballot. Membership shall be judged to include the members in good standing 60 days prior to the date of mailing the ballot. 

• A proposal to amend the Constitution shall be mailed to the membership when endorsed in writing (this does not stipulate, so the endorsement can be a digital signature/endorsement) by at least 40 members, or by the majority of the Board of Directors.

The Bylaws of the IABD are rules and regulations adopted by the organization to govern its

affairs and its membership, Board of Directors, and officers. Under this Constitution, the

power to adopt, amend, or repeal bylaws is granted to the Board of Directors. Any bylaw

adopted by the Board of Directors, however, may be amended or repealed by the membership entitled to vote as outlined in paragraph one above.

(The time of this has passed. The Fellows are established.)

The Board of Directors will establish IABD Fellows within five years. Those designated

as Fellows are exceptional individuals who have contributed significant scholarship to the

field of business and/or those who have enriched management practice around the world.

The contribution will be measured by their related research productivity and/or executive

stature and commitment to IABD's mission.

The Fellows shall draft their own constitution and bylaws subject to the approval of the

Board of Directors of the IABD and elect their own members in accordance with that

constitution.

Active founding members of the IABD will be the charter members of the Fellows.

The Incoming President/President shall serve two years in the incoming role and subsequently for two years as President. The Incoming President/President shall not be elected to more than one term.

Duties

• Presides all meetings of the Academy and the Board of Directors.
• Shall be responsible for the administrative direction of the Academy, supervising the functions of the appointed officers.
• Shall approve and instruct all committees.
• Shall select the site (city) for the Academy’s Annual Conferences after consultation with the Board.
• Shall continuously supervise all businesses and functions of the Academy.
• Shall determine, after consultation with the Program Chairperson, the number of divisions (tracks). Said divisions, such as international management, management theory, strategic management, finance, marketing management, etc., are subject to change as circumstances require.
• Shall nominate and recommend the Treasurer/Membership Director, Conference Chair, Program Chair, and Journal Editor to the Board of Directors for approval.
• Shall have oversight authority for disbursements related to the affairs of the Academy. As noted under the Treasurer/Membership Director Section, the Treasurer has the authority to write disbursement checks for $300 or less but is required to obtain approval from the President for disbursements over $300.
• Shall appoint vice presidents as he/she deems appropriate. The said vice presidents shall have an advisory role. (e.g. VP of Technology - but if you are reading this, I get advice and edit the website rather than giving the president advice.)

Incoming President

• Shall observe the operation of the Academy including the work and functions of the President.
• Shall work with the President to ensure a smooth transition from one presidency to the next.

The Treasurer/Membership Director shall have the following duties:

• Shall be responsible for the financial affairs of the Academy and should provide, at the Annual Meeting, a summary of the Academy's financial position for the past year.
• Shall keep a correct/updated list of all members in good standing.
• Shall prepare regular financial reports for the Academy based on the fiscal year of July 1 through June 30, and shall prepare special financial reports when requested by the President. The regular financial reports shall include an annual income statement and balance sheet as of the fiscal year-end for analysis by the Audit Committee and Board at its annual meeting; a reasonably current cash flow statement for the annual meeting; and a report of fund receipts which reconciles membership (both paid and unpaid), dues, conference attendees and registration fees, and other sources of funds.
• Shall be responsible for billing and collecting all dues, and other items of income.
• Shall send a renewal of membership form to all members no later than November of each year. (Note: The fiscal year shall begin on January 1 and end on December 31.)
• Shall have the authority to write disbursement checks for the Academy. Prior approval

The program chair shall serve as the Chair of the Annual Meeting of any given year. His/her appointment shall be made one year in advance. Nominated by the President and approved by the Board of Directors.

Duties:

• Shall mail the call for papers.
• Shall cooperate with the President in developing the final program, after receiving each division program.
• Shall distribute the approved/final program to all participants in the conference.
• At the conference, the Program Chair shall introduce the current President who shall introduce the incoming President.
• The Program Chair shall also introduce the President to report past achievements and current issues.
• In the event of the resignation or death of any of the above officers, the applicable position shall be filled through election by the remaining members of the Board.

Division (track) Chair

• Each division chair shall be responsible for organizing his/her programs while adhering to the goals of IABD.
• Shall send the final program to the President. 
• Shall observe the deadline of the call for paper submission.
• Shall ensure a smooth review process for all papers received.
• Shall establish a committee to oversee the activities of the division.